Mountain Bike Fun!

For the first time buyer, the choice of a mountain bike might be daunting. Mountain bikes are not your everyday bikes and are especially designed for cycling on difficult terrain. You can use these types of bikes to navigate hilly areas, steep declines, rocky mountain and any other sort of unpaved road. Here are a few important things you should know about mountain bikes.

• Mountain bikes are very different from regular use cycles and racing cycles. They are built to withstand the jerks and pressure of use on uneven terrain. You should ensure that the model you are looking at is a genuine mountain bike. If you use regular bikes on hilly terrain the results could be disastrous.

• You can also choose your bike according to the type of terrain it is best suited for. Varieties like the cross country bike have little suspension and a light frame. All-mountain bikes are generally heavier and feature more suspension. You could also choose from free ride or down hill bikes that differ from each other in terms of weight and strength. Both types are basically used for racing on inclines.

• You will have to check the frame of your mountain bike to ascertain its critical angles. The critical angles of the bike include the angle of its head tube and the seat tube. These are to be measured as the distance from the horizontal axis. The angles make a lot of difference to the rider’s position on the bike and the bike’s characteristics. As a rule of thumb, steeper angles are helpful for pedaling uphill and better handling. Angles tending towards zero give higher speed and more stability on downhill courses.

• You will have to check the type of suspension on your mountain bike. This could be fully rigid, hard – tail, soft-tail or dual suspension. The suspension essentially protects the bike and the rider from the shocks of a rough terrain. This is one of the most important parts of the bike. There are many new variants in the mountain bike market offering buyers different types of suspension, but most hard-core bikers routinely prefer a hard-tail frame.

• The final check on your mountain bike should be its brakes. They may be standard V-brakes or the newer disc brakes. Disc brakes are generally preferred over older versions because they give the rider more power under a variety of conditions. Disc brakes are also easier to maintain and last longer than conventional brakes.



By: Paul Kramer

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Full Suspension Mountain Bikes have made great advancements in the last couple of years. Because of these advancements, the bikes can be ridden in more places. These types of bikes are good for Downhill Mountain biking or riding through rough terrain.

Because these types of bikes are used for this purpose, they can be expensive. However, with the durability and comfort associated with this type of bike, it can be deemed well worth the extra cost in order to travel over rough terrain, plus they are manufactured to suit men, women and children of all ages.

The reason these are called full suspension is that they have suspension integrated into the front fork and the rear of the mountain bike frame. This is done so they can deal with the difficult terrain of mountain riding. The suspension also gives the person the ability to ride longer and harder. A suspension bike means that the bike absorbs the bounces and bumps – an obvious benefit over the body absorbing the bouncing instead.

Women, men and children will enjoy the ride more with these additional features. These features will give greater control over the bike as you ride through the rockiest areas. There are some drawbacks to this type of bike, however. Because of the additional features, these types of bikes are heavier. For people doing a lot of uphill riding or racing this can be a big deal.

Mountain bikes need to be maintained on a more regular basis; therefore, this can be an additional cost to consider. But hey, considering the type of terrain that these bikes are subjected to, it is not at all surprising. If you are looking for durability and comfort, then these are the types of Mountain Bike to own.

They are also strong and can stand up to most riding punishments that can be done to them. Most of these bikes have the ability to have the rear tire or other parts replaced. Having this ability to replace parts so easily means that maintenance and repair can be facilitated without the need to purchase a new bike.

This is a great feature when mountain riding, because it is easy to trash the rear of the bike if you crash. Another great feature is the number of speeds available. They now have up to 27 speeds and this is an excellent feature for women. They also give women a slender bike frame and wider seats, allowing for more support.

When you get ready to purchase a bike there are some things to remember. The most important thing to know is how you intend to use the bike. This will tell you what kind to buy and what features will be needed. There are many manufacturers of these types of bike, and as such the prices vary considerably. However, many standard Full Suspension Bikes can now be bought at quite reasonable costs due to their increased popularity.

If a lightweight material for the frame is chosen, then the bike will cost more. They have regular tires and tubeless tires. The tubeless do better on the harder terrains. There are handlebars that detach and rear assemblies that can also be detached.

An avid rider will want to know the entire specifications and extras they require before they decide to buy. Fortunately, a lot of information is available on the net, including Videos, which helps the rider to determine the best type of bike for them.

As a rough guide, bikes for boys come in a 24-inch style and are made with easy to change gears and brakes. Similarly, womans bikes come with a saddle seat, twist grips and easy to shift gears, often with a lighter frame making maneuvering easier.

The mens bike starts at 21 inches and can go up to 27 inches as standard. They can choose larger suspension, different forks, and different metals for the frame. This allows for a more diverse terrain for them to ride on.

When needing to change the tires this can be done on any model by using the no-tool closure system. Removal can be done quickly and anywhere.



By: Alan Williamson


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If you like riding on dirt paths, unpaved surfaces, trekking or hiking, then a mountain bike is all you need. Unlike the ordinary bicycles, these ones are quite “hard core” in nature. They perform well in rough places and can handle more strain. One of their key characteristics is their tires. They are actually more wider, knobbier and absorbs shock well. Generally, this bikes are classified into four types i.e fully Rigid, hard Tail, Soft Tail and Dual/ full Suspension.

Full suspension have a suspension fork in the rear and the front while fully rigid do not have nay suspension. Hard tail on the other hand has a suspension fork in the front while soft tail, has very less suspension in the rear and its frame has a flex in the rear, rather than the pivot.

Mountain bikes are superbly designed and their features are even better now than before. The modern ones today have 21, 24 or 27 speeds and are normally fitted with 3 gears in the front while the rear has 7, 8, or 9. They also have disc brakes that makes stopping easier.

With the growing of mountain biking as a sport, Mountain bikes are rising in demand together with accessories that accompany them. Nevertheless, we ought to be careful when buying this accessories. In fact, you’ll notice that most of this equipment like helmets, knee and elbow caps etc are meant for our safety and they’re important to acquire before we go out riding. Some of the commonly known manufactures of this bile include; Arrow Racing, Dagger, Dart, Full Dynamix, Airborne cycles and Alpine design MTBs.



By: Peter Gitundu

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In the market for a new mountain bike? Don’t type in your credit card details just yet. A new mountain bike is a substantial purchase, and a little bit of research and thought can make the whole ordeal both easier and more satisfying. This guide will help you find the right mountain bike for the right price.

What Kind of Bike is Right For You?

Mountain bikes come in a number of different styles and makes, depending on the type of terrain you plan on taking on. One bike might be best suited to a rough-terrain, downhill ride, while another bike is optimal road or light off-road riding.

In your search for a new bike, be sure and take into account the terrain you’ll be riding on. Some of the cheaper models are just fine for light conditions, but if you plan on taking on some really adventurous rides, it’s definitely worth it to shell out a few extra dollars.

Another thing to take into account is that mountain bikes, like road bikes, generally come in a Men’s and Women’s style. The difference is not just aesthetic: men and women have different body builds, and riding the wrong style of bike can either impede your ability, or worse, end up hurting you.

Also, make sure and look at the suspension that comes with the bike. In mountain biking, a good suspension can mean the difference between a smooth, enjoyable ride and an utterly disastrous one. Optimally, we recommend a full- or dual-suspension, preferably an adjustable one, for serious riding, though a front- or rear-only suspension is fine for road and simple-trail riding. Understand your options and find out which is best for you: full suspension or front suspension.

Set a Price Range

Like any other specialized product, mountain bikes come in a wide spectrum of prices. Frankly, you could spend anywhere from $100 to over $4,000 on a new mountain bike. Consider your budget and set a realistic maximum price for your new bike.

If you’re looking to save a few dollars (and who isn’t?), we highly recommend checking online, especially for used bikes. You can find a used machine for a fraction of the price, and if you’re thorough in your shopping, you can find one that is in perfect or near-perfect condition.

Specialized Components

There are a number of components to look at for your new bicycle. Besides the all-important suspension, it’s a good idea to look at breaks, frame composition, gear-shifters, and other options.

For example, rim brakes are generally cheaper than disc brakes, but offer less control. For easy riding, rim brakes are just fine, but if you’re going on tough downhill rides, you’ll definitely want the added punch of high-quality disc brakes.

Tires are also crucial. Wide tires (1.5-2 Inches) are ideal for rough terrain, because they give you maximum control. Thinner tires are much better suited to road and light off-road situations (much like the super-thin tires seen on quality road bikes) because they allow for higher speed, but will cause problems when the terrain changes.



By: David A Carter

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With all the bicycle lubricants on the market today, are you having trouble deciding which type to use on your mountain bike chain? Should you buy a drip or aerosol? Should you use a wet, dry, or wax lube? The following are some suggestions for choosing the right type of bike lube for your bicycle chain.

Drip vs. Aerosol Bike Lube

Bicycle lubricants come in either a drip or aerosol application. I recommend the drip application because it is easier to get the lube directly on the necessary parts of the bicycle chain. The spray lube gets on other parts of the bicycle, which just collects more dust and grime while riding.

Types of Bike Lube

There are several different types of bike lubes on the market. It is important to choose the right kind of bicycle lubricant to match the conditions you ride in. The following gives you an idea of which types of bike lubes are best for certain riding conditions:

Wet lubes: This type of lube goes on wet and stays wet. This lube is great for riding in wet, muddy, or winter riding conditions or if you will be doing many stream crossings.

Advantages: This type of bicycle lubricant does not wash off when it gets wet and you do usually not have to apply it as often as the dry or wax lubricants if you ride in wet conditions.

Disadvantages: Wet lubes can be messy if you ride in certain types of conditions. For example, you will get an oily black residue on your mountain bike chain if you ride in dry dusty conditions. It is also more difficult to clean the chain than is the case with other lubes.

Dry lubes:This bicycle lubricant goes on wet and then dries. Dry lubes are great for riding in dry dusty conditions.

Advantages: Dry lubricants prevent dirt from sticking to the chain and do not get as messy as wet lubes. The key to using a dry bicycle lubricant is to put it on several hours before you ride so it dries and does not collect dirt when riding.

Disadvantages: Dry bike lubes Wash off and have to be reapplied if you are doing lots of stream crossings or riding in wetter conditions.

Wax lubes: Leaves a wax coating on the bicycle chain. Another option for dry conditions

Advantages: A wax coating causes the dirt to flake off the chain so it does not have to be cleaned as frequently. This is a good alternative if you are meticulous about keeping your chain clean and if your chain does not get wet often.

Disadvantages: Wax lube has to be applied more frequently than oil lubes and does not work well in wet or muddy conditions. There is some controversy as to whether wax lubes are as good for your bicycle chain as oil lubes because the wax is not believed to get in between the necessary moving parts as well as oil lubes.

Important Tips:

There are many different brands of bicycle lubricants on the market. Some riders like to use their own concoctions or products on the market that are not specifically made for bicycle chains. If you decide to do this, do some research to make sure they will not damage your chain. WB40, for example, is not a good lubricant for your bike chain.

It is important that you have a clean mountain bike chain before you apply bicycle lube to it. If it is dirty, the lube will work the dirt into the moving parts of the chain, which accelerates chain wear.



By: Mary Blomquist

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Over the course of the past few decades the bicycle has gone through several developments and one of them in particular is the introduction of what has become known as the mountain bike. Just what is it in particular that separates this relatively newer type of bicycle from other types of more conventional bicycles that are available on the market? The most basic answer to that question is that this particular type of bicycle is configured to be ridden off-road; off paved roads in more rugged terrain such as dirt trails, rocky paths, steep inclines and riverbeds, etc.

So whilst other types of bicycles tend to have low profile tread patterns on their tires for better traction on paved services, a mountain bike will always have a heavier tread on their tires that’s typically referred to as “knobby tread”. They also tend to have smaller wheels that allow the rider to more readily reach the ground with his or her feet for better control in rougher terrain.

Front end suspension is another common feature on this type of bicycle and it allows for better shock absorption. However, in more recent years, both front and back suspension has become more popular for even better shock absorption and control.

Another feature of this specialised bike is a wide padded seat for maximum comfort during the jarring rides. Then while multiple gears are an optional feature on bicycles that are designed for road use, they’re a must-have feature option when riding off roads. The reason here is the abruptly changing terrain that can go quickly from a level riding surface to a steep upgrade. So in general a quality mountain bike will have between 5 to 10 gears, but in more recent times some manufacturers have begun to produce models that feature up to 30 gears.

Frames that are manufactured from metal and metal alloys are also a relatively new adaptation. Due to the higher cost of the metal itself and also the added labour that goes into forming and welding them, this alone can considerably run up the cost.

Disc brakes are yet one more specialised feature that today’s serious off-road rider can opt for. Disc brakes allow for faster stops and also require less hand-grip tension when stopping.

Competitive Mountain biking as a spectator sport has become increasingly popular since its advent in the 70s and this alone has had a profound effect on the development of bikes that the competitors use. Ever increasing amounts of money and lucrative manufacturing endorsement deals means that far more is at stake for the competitor than just the glory of winning.

The companies that produce mountain bikes have responded in kind by designing specific types of bicycles with features that are tailored for the different categories of competitions. There are bikes that are built specifically for cross-country riding, downhill trail racing and trick riding; where each contestant is judged on his or her skills and showmanship while performing stunts.

All this has come at a cost though, whilst in the early years a rider could expect to spend hundreds of dollars on a top quality high-performance bicycle, today it’s not uncommon to find models with price tags that run into thousands of dollars.



By: Perry Gates


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Mountain bike racing is a rapidly growing sport. It is often thrown into the ‘extreme sports’ category, but shares little in common with such sports as skateboarding or trick biking. A mixture of ski slalom and intense trail riding, a good mountain bike race is exhilarating to watch but even more fun to ride.

When you think about mountain bike racing, if you have at all, you probably think it’s just for crazy young people. The truth, however, is that people of all ages and abilities can partake, from children to grown men and women.

Before jumping in, however, it’s a good idea to learn the basics. This article will cover everything you need to know, so you can hit that trail today!

The Name of the Game is Fun

The first, and most important rule, to mountain bike racing is to have fun! Sure, in any competition, we want to win, but this sport is about the pure thrill of riding on new and exciting terrain, and a win is just the icing on the cake.

In order to keep things balanced, most races are broken up into different skill levels, so you’ll always be riding against someone of comparable skill and experience. Categories are broken up by age, experience level, weight, and sometimes there are even men- or women-only races. Before signing up for one, check out what the race has to offer and sign up for the appropriate level.

Start Small

If you’re just getting started, no matter how much riding you’ve done, it’s a good idea to start at the lower, or beginner, levels. If you try to dive headfirst into an extreme race, you could lose your confidence, or worse, get injured. So start small, and once you have some experience you can move up to higher difficulties.

That said, if you really know what you’re doing, don’t take on a race that’s way too easy for you. Just as you wouldn’t like to be left in someone else’s dust, it’s not fun for other riders if you fly past them on a course below your level.

Also make sure you’re in good physical condition. A mountain bike rice can be a strenuous affair, so make sure you’ve got plenty of practice on downhill rides, and on different terrain. Also make sure you’ve got the strength and endurance to finish a race. Make sure and check out how long a race is first.

Your Bike – Is it Ready?

Once you’ve ensured that your body is ready, it’s time to check your bicycle. It can be frustrating and potentially dangerous to breakdown mid-race, so always do a routine check-up before a race. Tune your bike, check tire pressure, check the brakes, and take it on a test run before tackling the challenge.

You should also consider what kind of components your bike has. A full suspension mountain bike can really help cushion those falls, but it also means a heavier bike, which may slow you down. A bike with a lighter frame is great, if you can afford it.

The general type of mountain bike matters as well. For trail races, a cross-country bike will keep you covered, but for serious downhill bike racing, you’ll want a bike specifically designed for downhilling.

Finally, always carry an emergency repair kit. We recommend a good multi tool as well as a tire puncture repair kit and a water bottle.

Types of Racing

There are several different types of races. You may want to try them all, or focus on one kind. Let’s take a look at the options:

Cross-Country:

The most common type of race, the cross-country (or XC) race is a direct competition where riders take on a pre-constructed trail or track. If there are a large number of riders, the race may be divided into sections, such that only a few riders go at a time. This is a fast-paced and intensive race, somewhat comparable to track-bike racing, only with obstacles and rough terrain.

Downhill:

This is a straight-shot downhill race. Riders go down one at a time and the fastest time wins. Usually the course will have both natural and man-made obstacles, such as ruts, jumps, boulders, and other obstructions. It is essential to have a clear view ahead of you at all times, so that you’re surprised by any of the obstacles.

Downhill Slalom:

Similar to straight-forward downhilling, the slalom may take place on the same (or similar) course, except there are gates along the way. Just like in slalom skiing, the rider must pass around the edge of each gate. A penalty is given for any missed or touched gates, and the best time wins.

Hillclimb:

This is also an individual race against time. Much more physically taxing than the downhill ride, in the hillclimb the fastest rider to the top wins.

Important Tips Before you Race

Once you’ve picked out your race and bike, you’re almost ready to hit the course. There are just a few more things you should keep in mind.

Practice: Before entering a serious race, you should have logged hundreds, if not thousands of hours riding your bike. The only way to get better is to keep doing it. Know the risks: Competitive mountain biking can be a dangerous sport. Always wear a helmet, but know that it is a potentially dangerous extreme sport. Hydrate: Always drink before the race, and keep a bottle or Camelbak with you at all times. Dehydration can stop you dead in your tracks. Pace yourself: If you’re in a long race, just like in a foot race, don’t blow all your energy at the beginning. Know the course: You should always take at least one test-run on a new course, at a slower speed, before racing it. Surprises can be dangerous.
Time to Race!

Once you’ve covered all the above steps, there’s nothing left to do but get out there and race! There are lots of races all over the world, so check online or a local newspaper or biking magazine, and enroll today!



By: David A Carter

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Mountain biking is truly an adrenaline fuelled sport and there’s nothing better than speeding down an off-road dirt track on a Saturday afternoon. Hitting a nice jump and landing it perfectly. Covering the distance and having fun are just a couple of reasons why people get out and enjoy this awesome sport.

However there a few who take things a little more seriously than others and feel the need to want to go further, jump higher and go faster and then do even more the next time.

These people want to know exact information on their own performance so they can track their own progression and get better at mountain biking.

You can install a bike computer to your bike however these can be a little fiddly to fit and can be a little inaccurate when tracking what has been done. This is because typically they rely on an attachment that needs to be fitted to the forks of the bike and to the spokes of the front wheel.

These can be inaccurate mainly because the owner of the bike has installed them incorrectly. The other reason is that they don’t secure them properly and the first knock the bike takes can cause the bike computer and its components to fall off the bike. If this happens they can easily be lost and this can be extremely frustrating.

The last thing you want to have to do is to back track across miles of terrain looking for something that is smaller than a penny. There is, however, an alternative which is growing in popularity and is the next best thing after the standard bike computer.

You can try using a GPS watch for tracking your performance on your bike. These devices use satellites to track what you do and don’t rely on some calculation based on your bikes wheel circumference. They are easy to get up and running and can be used for other sports and activities too.

They do cost a little more however the functionality in comparison, plus the fact that most of these devices can be worn as a normal everyday watch make it a good thing for most active mountain bikers.

There are many GPS watches available on the market however as a start off watch I would strongly urge you to look at something like the Garmin 305 GPS Receiver and the Garmin 305 Speed/ Cadence Bike Sensor which will give you up to the minute data during your ride.



By: Joey Gardo


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When looking at Mountain bike tires, it’s important to get an idea of what sort of terrain the mountain bike will be used on for most of its life. Many people who go out and buy a Mountain bike will probably never take it onto technical singletrack or very challenging trails, and in that case the kind of tires that can be used will be slightly different than for those who really want to stretch a mountain bike out.

Generally, most bike tires these days come out of Asia, with several well-known factories in China doing much of the producing of these tires. Really good tires of super high quality and long-lasting characteristics tend to be produced at a few factories in Germany or in Europe in general. The Germans and the French have a long history of tire production, by the way.

Tires from China generally tend to be less costly than those coming from the high cost factories in France or Germany, though most Chinese bike tires that are sporting what bike stores call “off brand” labels will not be as durable or long-lasting as tires that come from those German or French factories. Additionally, they might not be as versatile in their ability to handle different types of terrain.

Also, the lighter a tire needs to be — and this can be important when it comes to rolling weight — the more expensive it also tends to be. In cycling (no matter if it’s road or mountain bike), there is a saying that goes like this: “Speed costs. How fast do you want to go?” That saying just about says it all, so it’s lighter weight is important, then expect to pay a premium when it comes to mountain bike tires.

Also, look at the tread on a bike tire to get a good idea of what it can handle in terms of being out on a trail or being driven around town on the pavement. Usually, the more knobby a tire is the more difficult the trail it can handle. However, that same tire will be more difficult and cause a cyclist to expend more energy ride around on pavement.

Mountain bike tires generally calm with mountain bike innertubes, though there are makers nowadays that specialize in tires that can be married up to a special rim that requires no innertube in order to inflate. These are similar in nature to today’s automobiles and their own wheel and tire setups. The cost of such a set up, though, can make the cost of a mountain bike a bit more than most people would like to pay.

Never forget, when going out on a ride on a mountain trail or some very difficult singletrack, to take a long a small pump and a tire repair kit. One never knows the kind of terrain that will be presented to a mountain bike cyclist or what it could do to the mountain bike tires that are on the machine. A good motto is to always be prepared.

For the most part, standard mountain bikes can weigh upwards of 30 pounds. One way to shave some weight is by buying better quality, lighter tires. Just make sure to look at what the tire is made to do (i. E. Is it made for singletrack mountain trails or for a combination of pavement and light-rail?), and where it’s made in order to get an idea of what it might cost.



By: Doru I. P.

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There are nine different kinds of mountain biking, each offering its own unique type of thrill or enjoyment. BMX biking is on small, nimble bikes with 20 inch wheels. These bikes are used for jumping and are usually used at a skate park, or in an area that has dirt mounds to jump off. Their small size and and short wheel base makes them perfect for performing biking stunts and tricks.

A cross country mountain bike is perfect for riding on hills and through uneven terrain. It’s an easier sport than BMX biking, but most cross country bikers like to travel long distances, as a cross country runner would do. This keeps these bikers as fit as cross country runners as well.

Cyclo cross biking is a combination of road biking and mountain biking. The sport involves a course that covers both on and off road sections. The course may contain water crossings and other obstacles as well.

Dirt jumping is a kind of mountain biking that is done on large man made mounds of dirt. While they are aerial in the middle of the jump, the biker will attempt to perform tricks and spins in the air. The mounds are placed relatively close together, so the biker builds up more speed and height on each subsequent jump.

Downhill mountain biking is just that: a race to bike down a hill as fast as possible. This is a a very strenuous but thrilling sport, since travelling downhill on mountain bikes at high speeds over uneven terrain is very difficult and dangerous.

Free mountain biking means the biker hugs the contours of the mountain to find the best route to the bottom. This is a very popular sport since each biker has his own style to express and it is fun to watch the various ways they do so.

Single speed mountain biking uses the simplistic approach to mountain biking. The bikes are designed with only one speed and very few moving parts, yielding an ultra light bike that relies solely on the strength of the biker, rather than a mechanical advantage.

Street or urban mountain bikes are used in the city, almost like a skateboard. Urban mountain bikers use railings, ledges and other features of the urban landscape to perform their tricks such as “stalls” and “grinds”.

Trail mountain biking uses a very low framed bike with small wheels. This allows the biker to jump the bike over obstacles. This is a difficult sport, requiring a good sense of balance and a high degree of concentration.



By: Alison Addy

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